Ink jet composition and method

Abstract

An ink composition suitable for ink jet printing operations comprising an aqueous resin dispersion and an aqueous colorant where said ink composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds. Compositions are provided that form printed images that, without curing, are solvent-washable with isopropanol, ethanol, water, and mixtures thereof, and are retortable, without curing. Ink jet compositions capable of forming colored images capable of being washed with isopropanol, ethanol, water, and mixtures thereof, after curing, are also provided. Finally, ink jet inks capable of withstanding washing with strong organic solvents, such as methylethylketone and methanol, after curing, are also provided.

We claim: 
     
       1. An ink composition for ink jet printing onto a nonporous surface selected from the group consisting of glass, tin-free steel and aluminum, to form printed images (1) on tin-free steel and aluminum that can be retorted, without prior heat curing or (2) on glass, tin-free steel and aluminum, with heat curing, that resist washing with water, isopropanol, ethanol, or mixtures thereof, said composition comprising an aqueous resin dispersion selected from the group consisting of aqueous vinyl resin dispersions and aqueous phenolic resin dispersions, and carbon black, said composition having a volatile organic compound content less than 500 grams/liter. 
     
     
       2. An ink composition for ink jet printing onto a nonporous surface selected from the group consisting of glass, tin-free steel and aluminum, to form printed images (1) that can be retorted, without prior heat curing or (2) with heat curing, that resist washing with methylethylketone or methanol, said composition comprising an aqueous phenolic resin dispersion, and carbon black, said composition having a volatile organic compound content less than 500 grams/liter. 
     
     
       3. An ink composition suitable for ink jet printing onto a nonporous surface selected from the group consisting of glass, tin-free and aluminum, to form printed, colored images that, after prior heat curing, resist washing with water, ethanol or isopropanol said composition comprising an aqueous resin dispersion selected from the group consisting of aqueous vinyl resin dispersions and aqueous phenolic resin dispersions, and a dye having a functional group that will react with said vinyl or phenolic resin upon heat curing to form a covalent bond said composition having a volatile organic compound content less than 500 grams/liter.